Reaching For Sun

Reaching For Sun 

By: Tracie Vaughn Zimmer

Published by Bloomsbury Children's Books, 2007

Beautiful, Heartfelt, Unique style, Friendship, Strength, Inspirational

Awards:

• Schneider Family Book Award for Middle School Book (2008)

Summary:

Written in free-verse poetry, this story is told from the perspective of Josie Wyatt - a 7th grade girl with cerebral palsy. She lives with her mother and grandmother on their family farm that continues to be bought by developers year after year. At school she is isolated by all her peers because she is "different." Her mom is hardly ever home, due to the fact that she works and goes to school full time. But when she is home she relentlessly dwells on Josie's disability and forces her to do her exercises. When a new boy, Jordan moves into the neighborhood, they quickly form a friendship that continues to blossom as time goes on. Josie feels as though she can be herself around Jordan. She forgets about her differences from everyone else and is able to just enjoy being a kid. Although the novel is short, the author takes us through an entire year of Josie's life and we as readers are able to see the drastic development of her character through the beautifully intertwined lines of  free verse poetry.

Reading Level: Lexile Framework N/A, Grades 5/6

Suggested Delivery: Independent Read or Small group read

Key Vocabulary: (by page number) Special ed (4), occupational therapist (6), cerebral palsy (6), heirloom (29), foliage (43), Boll weevil (47), tuberous (56), whirligig (65), spores (68), dollops (72), metronome (87), akimbo (97), morse code (101), caustic (128), fandangled (168)

3 Teaching Suggestions:

1. Use this novel to introduce the students free verse poetry to students. Or introduce them to the concept of free verse poetry being used throughout an entire novel to an in depth story. 
2. Use this text to teach students about different disabilities  (specifically cerebral palsy) and how it is important to treat everyone, no matter what the differences are, with respect and kindness. 
3. Use this book as an extension on a plant or gardening science unit/lesson.

Before Reading: Practice reading poetry (including free verse poems), prior to reading this novel. Have students practice reading as well as writing free verse poetry so they feel comfortable with it. Use the Comprehension - Understanding Poems chart (found in the electronic resources section), to help students dissect the many different poems they read.

During Reading: While students are reading the text, have them keep an ongoing journal. After each day of reading ask students to pick the poem that they thought was their favorite. Write a short journal entry explaining why they chose this poem as their favorite, what Josie is talking about in the poem and how it contributes to the story. 

After Reading: After reading this text, spark a class discussion. How do you personally relate to this text? How did Josie's character change throughout the story? What did you learn about cerebral palsy? Was there ever a time you didn't feel accepted?  Do you think it was a good choice by the author to write this story in the style of free - verse? If there are any students who do not feel comfortable sharing any of their answers, ask them to journal their responses.

Writing Activity: The entire text is told through the eyes of only one character, Josie. Have the students experiment and get creative by writing 2 or 3 poems through another character's point of view, (Jordan, Grams, Mom). The students can choose a poem from the story for guidance. They can choose to write a poem that would fit in at any point during the novel, or they can choose to write a poem about what they think happens after the story is over. The whole point of the assignment is to be creative! (But also have fun)! Use good vocabulary words and try your best to make it sound like the character you have chosen!

2 Electronic Resources:

1. United Cerebral Palsy: This website contains information all about the disability, cerebral palsy. If students have any questions about the disability this is a great source for them to access so they can have a better understanding of cerebral palsy.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   2. Lesson Ideas & Discussion Guide: This link brings will bring you to a blog created by Tracie Vaughn Zimmer herself. She provides countless discussion questions and activities for teachers to use in their classroom. A lot of the questions are great for writing prompts or simply to discuss the book further in depth so students have a better understanding of the story. I believe this link is most helpful if teacher's are having difficulty coming up with activities to do with their students before, during or after reading this text.

   

   Author Tracie Vaughn Zimmer
   
   
   
   
   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   Zimmer, T. V. (2007). Reaching for sun. New York: Bloomsbury Children's Books